Facilities

The Texas A&M Engineering Flight Simulator (EFS) is a state-of-the-art facility available to researchers in the Texas A&M Vehicle Systems and Control Laboratory. Hosting a large, fixed based, modified T-37, “Tweet” Cockpit, the EFS has the ability simulate in-flight experiences and has been used in multiple projects hosted by a variety of government and corporate sponsors including: the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Boeing Company, and Marconi Aerospace Defense Systems Inc. In addition to this large simulator, three smaller wall mounted simulators have also been installed in the EFS Laboratory to allow for multiple simulated vehicles to be flown by pilots in the same simulated airspace.

In addition to the research work completed in the EFS, students in the Texas A&M University Aerospace Engineering Department are provided the opportunity to investigate flight and aircraft operation in numerous courses, including AERO 201 and AERO 321. Flight time in simulator is invaluable to the students as it allows them to develop an intuitive understanding of the operation of aircraft.

The EFS is also open to prospective students. During Aggieland Saturday, Camp SOAR, and select Departmental tours, the EFS will be open to anyone who wants to fly, no experience needed.

In addition to the above photos, the EFS is also highlighted several times in the following Aerospace Engineering Department video:

The Texas A&M UAS Flight Testing Facility, located at Texas A&M University’s Riverside Campus, is the operational center from which all of the Texas A&M Vehicle Systems and Control Laboratory (VSCL) flight testing and autonomous vehicle work is conducted. Originally constructed as a hangar on Bryan Air Force Base, the facility currently houses all of VSCL’s autonomous fixed-wing, rotorcraft, and rover vehicles. Numerous projects have been completed out at this facility, including: autonomous aerial refueling, flight testing of Pegasus, system identification, ground testing of the Autonomous Railroad Safety Vehicle, and precision agriculture flight testing.

This facility also hosts the UAS Test Flight and “Hug a UAS Day” for students registered for AERO 321.

DIRECTIONS NOTE: If you find yourself on Avenue A out at Riverside Campus, you will be facing the rear of the building, please continue down and turn on either 6th or 7th street and head towards the runway. Our facility is next to a large observation tower, and immediately adjacent to a selection of aircraft turbines. Please park in front of the Hangar, which is show in the photo directly below.